Loose-leaf binder.



No. '794,290- i PATENTED JULY l1, l905 E. T FORD.

LOGSE LEAF BNDER.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED JULY ll, 1995. E. T. FORD.

LOOSE LEAF BNDER.

APPLICATION FILED MR. 28,1904.

2 SEEETS-SHEET 2.

UNTTED STATES Patented July 11, 1905.

ETHELBERT T. FORD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters lsatent No. 794,290, dated July 11, 1905.

Application filed March 28, 1904. Serial No. 200,431.

T0 all wiz/mit it T11/ty concern:

Be it known that I, ETI-IELBERT T. FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis,State ofMissourLhave invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, suoli as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-F Figure l is a top plan view of a loose-leaf binder constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same form of the loose-leaf binder. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the actuatingslide. Fig. 4 is an end View of the loose-leaf binder with the leaf-engaging spurs in locked position. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the leaf-engaging spurs spread apart. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a slightly-modified form of loose-leaf binder. Fig. 7 is a side elevational view vof the form illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an end view. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a further modified form. Fig. l0 isa side elevational view of the same, and Fig. l1 is an end View of the same.

This invention relates to loose-leaf binders; and one of the objects thereof is to provide a device which can be easily attached to a bookback and which will be capable of holdingloose leaves in a convenient manner.

Another object is to provide means whereby the leaves will be secured against accidental displacement; and it is also the object of this invention to provide means wherebj7 the leaves can be readily attached to and detached from the binder.

Other objects and advantages, as well as the novel details of construction, of this invention will be specifically referred to hereinafter, it being understood that changes in form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the form illustrated in Figs. l to 5, l designates a base in the form of a plate provided with spurs 2, which can be formed by suitable dies striking the spurs from the metal. These spurs are provided for insertion into the book-cover or other support, so that the base can be securely fastened thereto. In order to secure the leaves together, suitable attaching devices are employed, which in the form illustrated in Fig. l consist of two pairs of parallel rock-shafts 4, longitudinally disposed upon the base, each rockshaft carrying at one end a leaf-engaging spur 3 and one of each of the pairs having another similar spur at the opposite end, the respective spurs being curved, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4t and 5, so as to conveniently pass through the openings in the leaves. The other two shafts are each provided with a short projection 3 instead of the second spur 3, which projection is arranged to forrn a limiting-stop to prevent longitudinal movement under the thrust of the cams 10, to be referred to hereinafter. The spurs 3 at the ends of the several shafts serve as stops to limit the rotation of their respective shafts. The arrangement is such that when the shafts are in their operative positions three opposite pairs of leaf-engaging spurs are provided. The tongues 5, struck up from the base, embrace the respective shafts and form bearings therefor, which retain the shafts in their operative positions and prevent accidental displacement thereof.

Intermediate the ends of each shaft isan upstanding cam projection 6, the cam projections on the parallel shafts being opposite each other, as will be hereinafter apparent.

Slidably secured upon the base l and interposed between the shafts t and the base is an actuating device 7, illustrated in Fig. 3 as comprising' a slide, at one end of which is a lip or projection 8, whereby the slide can be operated. Carried by one edge of the slide and overlapping the shafts 4 are pointed cams l0, the point of each of which is adapted to be inserted between the cam projections 6, so as to spread them apart, and thus open one of the pairs of leaf-engaging spurs. It will be observed that the faces of the cam projections 6 are slightly inclined toward the respective ends of the shafts, so as to permit the end of the cam-tongue 10 to be inserted between the cam projections, whereby they may be readily spread apart.

Spaced a suitable distance from the cam 10 and on the respective edges of the slide 7 are upstanding lips 9, which form locking devices for engagement with the respective cam projections 6 on opposite sides, whereby they are held against lateral movement, so that when the leaves are in position the spurs 3 can be held against movement. It will be observed that the struck-up tongues 5, which form bearings for the shafts 4, also serve as guides for the slide 7, and this slide will be prevented from becoming detached from the remaining portion of the binder.

The form illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 consists of a base 11, having spurs 12 for attachment to a suitable support, and parallel shafts 13 and 14, which are journaled in suitable bearings 15, formed by bending up the tongues from the plate and encompassing the shafts and the slide 16, which carries the spreading cam-tongue 17 and the locking-ears 21 and 22. These shafts 13 and 14 are provided with upstanding cam projections 18 and 19, the edges of each of which are inclined, as at 20, to permit the cam 17 or the locking-ears 21 and 22 to successively spread and close them. In this form illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 the shafts 13 and 14 carry the leaf-engaging spurs 23 at their respective ends, this form making a simple binder having only two pairs of spurs particularly adapted for small leaves.

In both of the forms heretofore described the parallel shafts have been illustrated as carrying movable leaf-engaging spurs, respectively. In the form illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, however, the spurs or hooks 24 are illustrated as being rigid upon a base 25, the ends of the spurs or hooks forming cleats 26, which constitute bearings for a single rock-shaft 27, having at its respective ends integral leaf-engaging hooks or spurs 28 and 29. Interposed between the shaft 27 and the base 25 is a slide 30, having a cam 31 overlapping the shaft 27 and capable of having its single inclined edge 32 to bear against the upstanding cam projection 33 on the shaft 27, so that when the locking ears or projections 34 are withdrawn by the slide the contact of the inclined edge 32 against the cam projection will be sufhcient to rock the shaft, and thereby spread the hooks or supports.

It is of course apparent that the base or plate will be secured to some suitable support-as, for instance, the back of a bookcover. By imparting a longitudinal -move ment to the actuating-slide in any of the forms the cam spreading device carried thereby will positively rock the shafts, so as to open or` spread the leaf-engaging spurs or hooks.

After the leaves have been placed upon the hooks movement may be imparted lto the slide 7, so that the spreading-tongue will be thrown out of engagement with the cam projections on the shafts, which camprojections will be engaged by the upstanding locking devices carried by the slide, and the hooks or spurs will be secure against movement and without any liability'of accidentally spreading, so as to permit a premature release of the leaves.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base having parallel rock-shafts with cooperating leaf-engaging hooks, upwardlyprojecting cam projections on the respective shafts, a spreading-tongue having movement above the shafts and insertible between the cam projections for rocking the shafts, and means movable with the spreading-tongue for engagement with the cam projections when the spreading-tongue is moved out of engagement therewith for preventing movement of the shafts; substantially as described.

2. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base, rotating shafts having leaf-engaging hooks carried by the base, a slide interposed between the shafts and the base, tongues struck from the base and bent around the shafts and slide to form bearings and guides respectively, and means on the slide for actuating the shafts and for preventing actuation of the shafts; substantially as described.

3. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base, of curved leaf-engaging'spurs for engaging loose leaves to secure them to the binder, means for actuating said spurs, acam projection cooperating with the said means and movable therewith, a slide having a cam extending above the means and provided with an inclined face to engage the cam projection to actuate the leaf-engaging means, whereby the leaves may be released, and upstanding projections carried by the slide for engagement with the cam projection to prevent actuation of the spurs when not operated by thel cam, whereby the leaves will be held against removal from the binder; substantially as described.

4. In Va loose-leaf binder, a rocking shaft with leaf-engaging tongues, an intermediate cam projection carried by the shaft, a slide movable longitudinally beneath the shaft, a cam on the slide positioned above theshaft and having an inclined face adapted to contact with the cam projection to cause movement of the shaft, and means carried by the slide to engage the intermediate cam projection for preventing movement of the shaft when not operated by the cam; substantially as described.

5. 1n a loose-leaf binder, the combination' with a base having parallel rock-shafts with. cooperating leaf-engaging spurs, upwardly- IOO IIO

projecting cam projections on the respective shafts, a slide beneath the shafts, a spreadingtongue carried by the slide and having movement above the shafts, said tongue being insertible between the cam projections for rocking the shafts, and means on the slide for engagement with the cam projections when the spreading-tongue is moved out of engagementtherewith for preventing movement of the spurs from closed position; substantially as described.

6. In aloose-leaf binder, pairs of oppositelymovable leaf-engaging spurs, means for connecting' the corresponding spurs of the pairs, upstanding projections carried by the connecting means, a slide beneath the connecting means, means carried by the slide for engagement with the upstanding projections to normally prevent movement of the spurs, means carried by the slide and above the connecting means for spreading the upstanding projections to impart movement to the spurs, and means for limiting the movement of the spurs; substantially as described.

7 In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base, a rock-shaft having' leaf-engaging tongues, bearings for the rock-shaft, and a slide beneath the rock-shaftl and guided in said rock-shaft bearings, and means carried by the slide for rotating the shaft; substantially as described.

8. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base, of leaf-engaging' spurs carried by l the base, connections between the spurs on the respective sides of the binder, said connections having cam projections, a slide, a cam carried by the slide and insertible between the projections for moving the spurs apart, and means on the slide and movable with the cam for securing the spurs against movement from closed position; substantially as described.

9. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base, of leaf-engaging spurs arranged in pairs, shafts carrying the spurs and parallel with each other, parallel upstanding camprojections carried by the shafts, a slide having means insertible between the cam projections for rocking the shafts, and means movable with the slide for engagement with the cam projections for preventing rocking movement of the shafts when they are not operated by the means on the slide; substantially as described. v

lO. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base, rock-shafts on the base, coperating leaf engaging spursv carried by the shafts for engaging loose leaves, a slide immediatel y beneath the rock-shafts, means carried by the slide and above the rock-shafts for rocking the shafts to spread the spurs, means carried by the slide for returning the spurs to position in an opposite direction, the last-mentioned means also serving as a locking means to prevent movement of the spurs; substantially as described.

ll. In a loose-leaf binder, a rocking shaft with leaf-engaging tongues, an intermediate cam projection carried by the shaft, a slide movable longitudinally beneath the shaft, a cam on the. slide positioned above the shaft and having an inclined face adapted to contact with the cam projection to cause movement of the shaft, and means carried by the slide to engage the intermediate cam projection for causing return movement of the shaft when not operated by the cam; substantially as described.

12. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base having parallel rock-shafts with cooperating leaf-engaging spurs, upwardlyprojecting cam projections on the respective shafts, a slide beneath the shafts, a spreading-tongue carried by the slide and having movement above the shafts, said tongue being insertible between the cam projections for rocking the shafts, and means on the slide for engagement with the cam projections when the spreading-tongue is moved out of engagement therewith for moving the shafts to their original positions; substantially as described.

13. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base, of leaf-engaging spurs carried by the base, connections between the spurs on the respective sides of the binder, said connections having cam projections, a slide, a cam carried by the slide and insertible between the projections for moving the spurs apart, and means on the slide and movable with the cam for returning the spurs to closed position; substantially as described.

14C. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a base, of leaf-engaging spurs arranged in pairs, shafts carrying the spurs and parallel with each other, parallel upstanding cam projections carried by the shafts, a slide having means insertible between the cam projections for rocking the shafts, and means movable with the slide for engagement with the cam projections for returning the shafts when they are not operated by the means on the slide; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 24th day of March, 1904.

ETHELBERT T. FORD.

Witnesses:

B. F. FUNK, GEORGE BAKnwELL.

IOO

IIO 

